System and method for selection of wheel bearings

ABSTRACT

Ensuring that the correct wheel bearing is installed in the wheel assembly of an aircraft. A plastic mold is designed to hold only one size of wheel bearing. The mold is labeled with the wheel bearing serial number and the corresponding aircraft model number. Because only one size of wheel bearing fits properly in the mold, it facilitates identification and use of the correct size wheel bearing in the aircraft wheel assembly. The mold can be used to ship wheel bearings to air carriers and to store wheel bearings before installation into aircraft wheel assemblies. The mold also offers protection for the wheel bearing from contamination or damage.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. provisionalapplication entitled System and Method for Selection of Wheel Bearingsfor Aircraft, filed on Apr. 5, 2001, having Serial No. 60/281,834.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention is generally directed to ensuring selectionof the correct-size wheel bearing. Specifically, the present inventionprovides an apparatus for correctly identifying and storing wheelbearings and a method for using that apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Wheel bearings are manufactured in a variety of different sizes.However, different sizes of wheel bearings can often have very similardimensions. The similarity between different size wheel bearings canresult in the use of the wrong type of wheel bearing in a wheelassembly. This problem is of particular importance in the airlineindustry. Different models of aircraft usually require different typesof wheel bearings in their wheel assemblies. Typically, there are manydifferent types of wheel bearings to choose from in selecting thecorrect type for a particular model of aircraft. In most aircraft, thereare two wheel bearings in each wheel assembly, one called the inboardbearing (IB) and the other the outboard bearing (OB). Not only doesbearing size vary among aircraft models, but each wheel bearing in thepair within a wheel assembly is generally a different size.

[0004] There can be five variables that distinguish the different typesof wheel bearings. The five variables are the (1) outside diameter ofthe wheel bearing, (2) the inside diameter of the wheel bearing, (3) thenumber of rollers, (4) the taper angle of the outer circumference of thebearing, and (5) the height of the bearing. Generally, at least four ofthese five potential variables are required to be known to distinguishone bearing from another. Of the different types of bearings, severalare so close in size that the differences in their dimensions are noteasily discernable with the human eye. Although many of the bearings arevery close in size, it is essential that a mechanic use a bearing of thecorrect size in the wheel assembly. Using a bearing that is onlyslightly different from the correct size bearing can cause a failure inthe bearing due to the significant stress in the wheel assembly duringtake-off and landing of aircraft.

[0005] Each of the different types of bearings are stamped with a serialnumber that identifies the bearing. In the conventional approach toselecting the correct bearing, the mechanic checks the serial number oneach bearing before installing it in the wheel assembly. The problemwith this approach is that humans occasionally make errors and couldinaccurately read the serial number stamped on the bearing. Thispotential for inaccuracy is compounded by the fact that the serialnumbers used on typical aircraft wheel bearings are generally severaldigits long and use many of the same digits. One attempt at solving thisproblem was the use of a “go-no go” gauge. The “go-no go” gauge wassimply a piece of material cut to the size of the inside diameter of aparticular wheel bearing. When selecting a wheel bearing, a mechanicwould slide the wheel bearing onto the “go-no go” gauge to insure thatit was the correct size. However, the “go-no go” gauge is limited inthat it only measures one of the five potential variables thatdistinguish wheel bearings. For example, a mechanic could use a wheelbearing with the correct inside diameter, according to the “go-no go”gauge, but an incorrect outside diameter.

[0006] In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for anapparatus that can accurately differentiate various sizes of wheelbearings. There is a further need for an apparatus that protects a wheelbearing from damage or contamination while it is stored until subsequentuse in a wheel assembly. There is also a need for a method forefficiently employing the apparatus in a machine shop environment wherewheel assemblies are taken apart and reconstructed. The presentinvention can facilitate selection of the correct size of wheel bearingfor insertion in the wheel assembly of an aircraft.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] The present invention comprises a device and method for insuringthat a mechanic uses the correct size wheel bearing in an aircraft wheelassembly. For one aspect, the invention comprises a mold with one ormore recesses that accurately fit to the dimensions of a particularwheel bearing. The mold can be made of any material that can be easilyshaped such as plastic or sheet metal. Accordingly, molds can be createdwith different size recesses for each type of wheel bearing and only onewheel bearing can fit in each recess in a mold. If any of the variablesthat distinguish a wheel bearing do not correspond to the mold, thewheel bearing will not properly fit within the recess and it will beapparent to the mechanic that it is a bearing of incorrect size.

[0008] For another aspect, the invention comprises a mold with acircular recess shaped to fit only one size of wheel bearing. The recesscomprises an outer wall contoured to fit the rollers of the wheelbearing. The recess also comprises a hub at the center of the recess.The recess can be designed such that the top surface of the hub is levelwith the top surface of the wheel bearing when a wheel bearing of thecorrect size is placed in the recess. The mold can also comprise fingerrecesses to facilitate removal of the wheel bearing from the recess. Aremovable cover can be attached to the mold to protect the wheel bearingwhile it sits in the mold. Markings on the mold can identify the serialnumber and type of wheel bearing and the type of aircraft it is designedfor.

[0009] For yet another aspect, the present invention comprises a systemfor storing a wheel bearing in a wheel bearing mold until it is neededfor a wheel assembly. The wheel bearing can be either a new bearing fromthe manufacturer or a recycled bearing previously used in another wheelassembly. The system comprises packaging the wheel bearing in a moldwith a cover and storing the packaged wheel bearing in a rack of wheelbearings of the same size.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the present invention comprises a methodthat facilitates installing the correct size wheel bearing in a wheelassembly. When a mechanic needs a wheel bearing, she can select a wheelbearing mold from a rack of wheel bearings of the desired size. Thewheel bearing model number and vehicle model can be printed on the moldfor verifying that it is correct. The mechanic can remove the correctwheel bearing from the mold and install it in the wheel assembly.

[0011] These and other aspects of the invention will be described belowin connection with the drawing set and the appended specification andclaim set.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary wheel bearing moldwith recesses for an inboard and outboard wheel bearing.

[0013]FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary wheel bearingmold showing the cover, the wheel bearings and the recesses in which thewheel bearings rest.

[0014]FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary wheel bearingmold with a protective material placed between the cover and the topsurface of the wheel bearing mold.

[0015]FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an exemplary wheel bearing moldwith cross-section line 4.

[0016]FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view along line 4 of theexemplary wheel bearing mold in FIG. 3.

[0017]FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an exemplary wheel bearing moldwith cross-section line 6.

[0018]FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view along line 6 of theexemplary wheel bearing mold in FIG. 5.

[0019]FIG. 7A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary environmentfor operating the invention where aircraft wheel assemblies are takenapart by mechanics.

[0020]FIG. 7B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary environmentfor operating the invention where aircraft wheel assemblies areconstructed by mechanics.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a logic flow diagram illustrating an exemplary processfor recycling used wheel bearings.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a logic flow diagram illustrating an exemplary processfor incorporating new wheel bearings.

[0023]FIG. 10 is a logic flow diagram illustrating an exemplary processfor packing wheel bearings into molds.

[0024]FIG. 11 is a logic flow diagram illustrating an exemplary processfor installing a wheel bearing into a wheel assembly.

[0025]FIG. 12 is a logic flow diagram illustrating an exemplary processfor forming bearing molds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The present invention comprises an apparatus and system forfacilitating selection and insertion of the correct size wheel bearingin wheel assemblies. The various wheel bearings used in wheel assembliesare often very close in size. This proximity in size can result in thewrong size of wheel bearing being used in a wheel assembly. The presentinvention comprises a mold designed to clearly identify the size of thewheel bearing and the wheel assembly in which it is to be used. The moldalso serves as a means for storing the wheel bearing and protecting itfrom damage or contamination. The invention further comprises a methodfor utilizing the mold in a system for storing wheel bearings until theyare needed for installation in a wheel assembly. Finally, the inventionalso comprises a system for selecting the correct wheel bearing forinstallation using the mold.

[0027] Although the exemplary embodiments will generally be described inthe context of wheel bearings installed on aircraft wheel assemblies,the present invention can be implemented in other types of machinery andvehicles that employ wheel bearings such as commercial trucking. Thepresent invention can also be used for facilitating the identificationof machine parts other than wheel bearings.

[0028] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals representlike elements throughout the several figures, exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention and the preferred environment in which it can beused will be described. The following discussion is representative andconcerns applying the invention to aircraft.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary packed wheel bearing mold 100is illustrated. The wheel bearing mold comprises a base 165 and a cover170. The base 165 comprises a top surface 193 and a bottom surface 194(not visible in FIG. 1). The base 165 also comprises a ridge 196 alongthe perimeter of the mold. The ridge provides added stability to themold by making it more rigid. The wheel bearing mold further comprisesan aircraft model number 105, and bearing serial numbers 110 and 120.Generally, the aircraft model number 105 and bearing serial numbers 110and 120 are stamped permanently into the base 165 so that they cannot beremoved. In the packed wheel bearing mold illustrated in FIG. 1,outboard bearing 135 and inboard bearing 130 are resting in recesses,otherwise described as form regions, 174 and 175 within the base 165.

[0030] A recess 175 comprises an intermediate recess surface 150, outerfinger notches 155 and 160, and a recess bottom surface 180 (not visiblein FIG. 1) on which wheel bearing 135 sits. The outer finger notches 155and 160 enable removal of the wheel bearing from the base 165. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the outer finger notches 155 and160 are defined by surfaces contiguous with the recess bottom surface180, otherwise described as the form bottom surface, in order to reducevacuum between the wheel bearing 135 and the base 165. The recesses 174and 175 further comprise hubs defined by inner recess walls 181 and 182and hub top surfaces 184 and 185. The hub top surfaces 184 and 185 areflush with the top surface of the bearings 134 and 135 when the correctbearings are placed in the recesses 174 and 175. “OB” 125 for outboardbearing and “IB” 115 for inboard bearing are also stamped into the moldat the hub top surfaces 184 and 185.

[0031]FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary wheel bearingmold comprising the base 165, wheel bearings 130 and 135, and the cover170. In this view, the recess bottom surface 180 can be viewed becausethe bearing 135 is not in the recess 175. The recess outer wall 191 canalso be seen. The indentations of the recess outer wall 191 correspondto the rollers 140 of bearing 135, such that only one type of bearingcan fit in the recess 175. When the correct bearing 135 is placed inrecess 175, the bearing 135 fits securely in the recess 175 and the topsurface of the bearing 135 is level with the hub top surface 185. Thisdesign allows the mechanic to be certain that the correct wheel bearingwill be installed in the aircraft wheel assembly. The illustration ofFIG. 2A also shows that the outer finger recesses 155 and 160 arecontiguous with the recess bottom surface 180.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2B, another exploded view of an exemplaryembodiment of the invention is illustrated. FIG. 2B shows the additionof a packing element 205 into the wheel bearing mold 100. The packingelement 205 is inserted between the base 165 and the cover 170. Thepacking element 205 can serve as a cushion to protect the wheel bearingsduring storage or transport of the wheel bearing mold. The packingelement 205 also comprises cut-outs 210. The cut-outs 210 enable one toview the aircraft model number, the bearing serial numbers, and theinboard and outboard designations without actually opening the packedwheel bearing mold 100. The wheel bearing mold serves as a useful devicefor storing used wheel bearings. In an aircraft machine shop, wheelassemblies are typically taken apart and inspected periodically. Whenthe wheel bearings are removed from a wheel assembly, they are generallycleaned, inspected, and if in good condition, are stored for use inanother wheel assembly. The mold also serves as a useful container forstoring and shipping new wheel bearings from a manufacturer.

[0033]FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 3 shows a packed wheel bearing mold 100 with asection line 4 running through the outboard bearing 135. FIG. 4illustrates a cross-section of the packed wheel bearing mold alongsection line 4 shown in FIG. 3. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates across-section of the wheel bearing 135 with rollers 140 as it sits inthe recess 175. The rollers 140 fit within the contours of the recessouter wall 191. The illustration in FIG. 4 shows that hub top surface185 is flush with the top of the bearing 135 when the correct sizebearing is placed in the proper recess 175. If an incorrect bearing wasplaced in this mold, the bearing would not rest properly in the recess175 and surface 185 would not be flush with the top surface of thebearing 135.

[0034] The exemplary wheel bearing mold 100′ shown in FIG. 5 is designedfor relatively larger wheel bearings than the embodiment shown in FIGS.1 through 4. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 comprisesmany of the features shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, but with the additionof interior finger notches 595 and 596. The use of interior fingernotches 595 and 596 allows one to pick up wheel bearing 535 using bothhands. It can be helpful to use two hands to pick up a wheel bearingwhen it is relatively heavy and has a coating of grease on it.

[0035]FIG. 6 is a cross-section view taken from the exemplary embodimentof the invention illustrated in FIG. 5. The cross-section view shown inFIG. 6 is taken along line 6 shown in FIG. 5. The illustration in FIG. 6shows a pair of hands picking up a wheel bearing from the wheel bearingmold 100′. The thumbs are inserted into interior finger notches 595 and596. One or more of the remaining fingers are inserted into the outerfinger notches 555 and 560. In this embodiment, both the interior fingernotches 595 and 596 and the outer finger notches 555 and 560 arecontiguous with bottom recess surface 580 so as to reduce vacuum betweenthe wheel bearing and the inside of the recess 570.

[0036]FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate block diagrams of exemplary operatingenvironments 700 and 715 in which aircraft mechanics can use the presentinvention. At station 705, in the exemplary environment 700 of FIG. 7A,wheel assemblies from planes that are being serviced arrive in the wheelshop. A mechanic takes the wheel assembly apart and removes the inboardand outboard wheel bearings. At station 710 the wheel bearings takenfrom wheel assemblies are cleaned at a cleaning shop. Once the wheelbearings are cleaned and dried, they are sent on to the bearing packingstation 720 in the exemplary environment 715 shown in FIG. 7B. Analternative source of bearings can be new bearings arriving from thebearing manufacturer. At the bearing packing station 720, a mechanicinspects the bearings. If the bearings are in satisfactory condition, anew coat of grease is applied and the mechanic places the bearings inthe appropriate bearing molds. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, snap rings and seals can also be placed with the bearing inthe mold. Once the mold is packed and covered it is stored until neededby the mechanics. Typically, the bearing molds can be stored in verticalracks 725 designed for storing multiple bearing molds. Each rackcorresponds to one aircraft model and only holds bearings for thatmodel.

[0037] When a mechanic is preparing a new wheel assembly at station 730,he can pull the correct mold with the correct wheel bearings from therack 725 and verify the aircraft model number printed on the mold. Thewheels and packed wheel bearing mold travel on a conveyor to station740. At station 740, the wheel bearings are removed from the mold andplaced in the wheel assembly. The packaged wheel assemblies are sent tothe pick up area and later are incorporated into aircraft. The mechanicscan send empty molds from station 740 to a cleaning station 750 wherethe molds are cleaned. A mechanic at the bearing packing station 720receives the cleaned empty molds from the cleaning station 750 forpacking more bearings. In alternative embodiments of the presentinvention, the stations shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B can be rearranged intoother configurations.

[0038] The logic flow diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11,are exemplary processes describing in greater detail the eventsoccurring in the operating environment illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B.Referring to FIG. 8, an exemplary process 800 for recycling used wheelbearings using the wheel bearing mold is illustrated. In step 805, awheel assembly from a plane that is being serviced enters the wheelshop. The wheel assembly is separated from the plane before entering thewheel shop. In step 810, a mechanic takes the wheel assembly apart andremoves the wheel bearings. In step 815, the wheel bearings are cleanedand dried at station 710. A mechanic inspects the wheel bearings in step820 to see if they can be used again in another wheel assembly. If thewheel bearing is in satisfactory condition the “Yes” branch is followedto step 825, where the wheel bearing is given a new coating of grease.If the wheel bearing is not in satisfactory condition, the “No” branchis followed and the bearing is disposed of. After the wheel bearing isgreased in step 825, it is ready for packing in a mold. The packingprocess is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 10.

[0039]FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary process 900 for incorporating newwheel bearings, received from the manufacturer, into the bearing moldprocess. If a particular type of bearing was needed and none wasavailable from the cleaning station 710, a mechanic at the bearingpacking station 720 could open a new wheel bearing package from themanufacturer in step 905. In an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, the wheel bearing mold can comprise the package for a wheelbearing shipped from a manufacturer. In step 910, the mechanic wouldinspect the wheel bearing to insure that it was not damaged in theshipment from the manufacturer. If the wheel bearing is not insatisfactory condition, it is disposed of. If the wheel bearing is insatisfactory condition, the “Yes” branch is followed to step 915 and themechanic applies a coat of grease to the wheel bearing. The wheelbearing is then ready for packing into a mold as illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0040] The logic flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 10 is an exemplarymethod 1000 for packing the wheel bearings into the correct molds. Theprocess 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 continues from the processesillustrated separately in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. In step 1005, the mechanicplaces the greased wheel bearing into the recess 175 of the correctmold. Because only one type of bearing fits in each recess 175 of amold, the mechanic can easily and readily determine whether he hasplaced the correct wheel bearing in the correct mold. In step 1010, themold packed with the wheel bearing is covered in order to protect thewheel bearing from contamination. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the cover 170 is clear so that a mechanic can easily see thebearing type, the serial number, and the aircraft model number on themold base 165. In another embodiment of the present invention, theprotective element 205 is placed between the mold base 165 and the cover170. The protective element 205 can serve as a cushion to protect thewheel bearings during storage or shipping. In step 1015, the mold packedwith the correct bearing is placed in a rack 725. Typically, each rackis labeled with an aircraft model number and only holds wheel bearingmolds for that model. The molds packed with wheel bearings are stored inthe racks until needed for installation into wheel assemblies.

[0041]FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary process 1100 for installing thewheel bearings. In step 1105, a mechanic chooses a rack of wheel bearingmolds according to the model number of the aircraft wheel assembly he isworking on. The racks 725 can be easily identified by placing theaircraft model numbers on each rack. In step 1110, the mechanic removesa wheel bearing mold from the selected rack. In step 1115, the mechanicverifies the aircraft model number on the mold and the serial number onthe bearing and the mold. In step 1120, the bearing is removed from themold. The mold is designed with finger holds that facilitate removal ofthe bearing from the mold. The bearing is installed on the wheelassembly in step 1125 at mounting station 740. The mechanic can returnthe empty mold in step 1130 to the cleaning station 750 so that the moldcan be cleaned and used again. In step 1135, the completed wheelassembly is shipped on to the production line for incorporation into anaircraft. The foregoing processes illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11represent only a single exemplary method for employing the wheel bearingmold.

[0042] Production of the individual molds is a separate process thatoccurs before the molds can be implemented in the operating environments700 and 715 of FIGS. 7A and 7B. The manufacturer of the molds can be anairline, a bearing manufacturer, or some other party. Referring to FIG.12, an exemplary method 1200 for creating the molds is illustrated. Themethod 1200 begins with step 1205, where a secondary mold is createdfrom the wheel bearing. Typically, the secondary mold is created bytaking a heated piece of plastic and stamping the plastic on top of thebearing so that the bearing creates a matching recess in the plastic. Instep 1210, the manufacturer pours a casting material into the secondarymold to create a replica of the bearing. The replica is the firstportion of a template that will be used in producing the final mold. Instep 1215, additional features such as the aircraft model number,bearing serial number, and bearing type can be added to the template.Typically, these features are implemented in the template by engravingor embossing the desired characters on plates that are mounted on thetemplate. In step 1220, the manufacturer can mount dowels onto thetemplate to create outer finger notches 155 and 160 and interior fingernotches 595 and 596. Finally, in step 1225, the manufacturer presses theprimary molds for the wheel shop using the template. Molds can bepressed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to,plastic and sheet metal.

[0043] In conclusion, the present invention facilitates installation ofthe correct wheel bearings in aircraft wheel assemblies. The wheelbearing mold is designed so that a mechanic can easily recognize a wheelbearing of incorrect size. Markings on the mold can clearly identify thebearing and the type of aircraft in which it should be used. The moldalso serves as an efficient and convenient means for storing andshipping wheel bearings.

[0044] It will be appreciated that the present invention fulfills theneeds of the prior art described herein and meets the above-statedobjects. While there has been shown and described the preferredembodiment of the invention, it will be evident to those skilled in theart that various modifications and changes may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth inthe appended claims and equivalence thereof. The above description andaccompanying figures set forth an exemplary wheel bearing mold and theuse of that mold by the air transportation industry. However, wheelbearing molds may be used in other fields beyond aircraft, such ascommercial trucking, to ensure that the correct wheel bearing isinstalled in a wheel assembly. Furthermore, the present invention can beapplied to other parts of machinery where the dimensions of the partsare not easily discernible, such as gears, bolts, fasteners, and cuttingtools.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus to facilitate use of the correctsize wheel bearing comprising: a mold comprising a top surface, a bottomsurface, and a form region, the form region comprising, a form bottomsurface substantially parallel to the top surface, an outer wallcontiguous with the top surface and the form bottom surface, the outerwall having a contoured surface and a generally cylindrical shape, and ahub disposed within the outer wall, the hub comprising a hub top surfacesubstantially parallel to the top surface and an inner wall contiguouswith the hub top surface and the form bottom surface and having agenerally cylindrical shape.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein themold comprises a plastic material.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe mold further comprises a removable cover that attaches to the topsurface of the mold.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a protectivematerial is placed between the top surface of the mold and the removablecover.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top surface furthercomprises a rim around the perimeter of the mold.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the top surface comprises a first marking identifying awheel bearing model number and a second marking identifying a type ofvehicle in which the wheel bearing is installed.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the hub top surface comprises a marking for identifyingthe type of wheel bearing.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecontours of the outer wall are designed to fit rollers of a wheelbearing.
 9. A method for storing a wheel bearing using a wheel bearingmold to facilitate use of the appropriate-sized wheel bearing in avehicle comprising: placing a wheel bearing in a wheel bearing molddesigned such that only one size of wheel bearing properly fits in thewheel bearing mold; verifying that the correct size wheel bearing isplaced in the wheel bearing mold; and covering the wheel bearing mold toprotect the wheel bearing and create a packaged wheel bearing.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the step of verifying the wheel bearingcomprises checking that the wheel bearing serial number and vehiclemodel identifier on the wheel bearing mold correspond to the wheelbearing.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the packaged wheel bearingis shipped from a manufacturer of the wheel bearing to a purchaser. 12.The method of claim 9, wherein the packaged wheel bearing is stored forlater installation in a vehicle.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein thepackaged wheel bearing is stored in a rack comprising packaged wheelbearings of the same size.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein grease isapplied to the wheel bearing before placing it in the wheel bearingmold.
 15. A method for installing the appropriate-size wheel bearing ina vehicle using a wheel bearing mold comprising: selecting a rackholding wheel bearing molds containing wheel bearings for a vehicle;removing a wheel bearing mold from the rack; verifying the vehicle modelnumber and the wheel bearing model number on the wheel bearing mold;removing the wheel bearing from the wheel bearing mold; and installingthe wheel bearing.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the rack holdswheel bearing molds containing wheel bearings of the same size.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the wheel bearing is installed in the wheelassembly of an aircraft.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein notches inthe wheel bearing mold facilitate removal of the wheel bearing from themold.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the wheel bearing mold isplaced on an assembly line with a wheel assembly.
 20. An apparatus tofacilitate use of the correct size wheel bearing comprising: a mold, themold comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a form region,wherein the dimensions of the form region are such that only one modelof wheel bearing can correctly fit in the form region, the form regioncomprising, a form bottom surface substantially parallel to the topsurface, an outer wall contiguous with the top surface and the formbottom surface, the outer wall having a contoured surface and agenerally cylindrical shape, and a hub disposed within the outer wall,the hub comprising a hub top surface substantially parallel to the topsurface and an inner wall contiguous with the hub top surface and theform bottom surface and having a generally cylindrical shape.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 20, wherein the hub top surface is level with a wheelbearing top surface when a wheel bearing of the correct size is placedin the form region.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein a step isdisposed between the top surface and the form bottom surface and furtherdisposed outside the outer wall, the step operable for facilitatingplacement and removal of the wheel bearing in the form region, the stepcomprising a step surface generally parallel to the top surface andcontiguous with the outer wall and a step wall generally parallel to theouter wall and contiguous with the step surface and the top surface. 23.An apparatus to facilitate use of the correct size wheel bearingcomprising: a mold sized to accept the correct size wheel bearing, themold comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a form region, theform region comprising, a form bottom surface substantially parallel tothe top surface, an outer wall contiguous with the top surface and theform bottom surface, the outer wall having a contoured surface and agenerally cylindrical shape, the outer wall comprising a first notch anda second notch operable for facilitating removal of the wheel bearingfrom the form region, and a hub disposed within the outer wall, the hubcomprising a hub top surface substantially parallel to the top surfaceand an inner wall contiguous with the hub top surface and the formbottom surface and having a generally cylindrical shape.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 23, wherein the inner wall comprises a third notchand a forth notch operable for facilitating removal of the wheel bearingfrom the form region.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the firstnotch, the second notch, the third notch, and the fourth notch arecontiguous with the form bottom surface so as to reduce the existence ofa vacuum between the surfaces of the wheel bearing and the mold.